Sometimes protecting your business is not as simple as locking your doors at night and setting an alarm. It is not just your physical address that you need to protect—property can be intangible or intellectual. Attacks against those types of property by another business or by an employee can be very damaging to your business practices and reputation. Staying vigilant …
Equity: Dividing it Up Amongst Founders
You and your partners have the idea, product and resources to finally start the business you always wanted. This is a very exciting time for all of you and there is a lot to do. You have operating agreements, ownership agreements and a lot of details to finalize.
Is Franchising Right For Your Business?
You have fought hard for the success of your business. You have dealt with the financial and personal stresses that come along with owning your own business. Finally, things are going very well and you are thinking about franchising.
Business Exit Plans
Entering into a business venture is an exciting experience. All owners have contributed to the well-being of the business in one way or another and have varying roles in the organization after it is formed. Some owners might be hands-on and work as an employee of the business while others play a more silent role. There may come to a …
What Restrictions are there to Offering Ownership Interests to Investors?
In the business world, most ventures are formed with the idea that those involved have a personal investment in the company they formed. Each founder has put some sort of equity into the business, whether it is through funding, labor or intellectual property.
What is a Non Disclosure Agreement?
In the everyday operations of your business, many of your employees are exposed to sensitive information about your company and your clients. This information is vital to the day-to-day operations of your business. If lost or misused, the information might cause problems for your business.
How to Protect your Intellectual Property
Ideas, confidential information, formulas, and trade secrets are all examples of intellectual property. Intellectual property can give you or your business the advantage over your competition. You might have made a discovery lately that you want to protect. Or, you might have recently had your intellectual property stolen. Finding a way to protect what is rightfully yours can help you …
Understanding Different Business Entities: LLC vs. Inc.
Knowing how your business entity should be formed is the first step to running a successful company. You may have questions about what a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is or why you might want to consider forming a corporation. You may also have questions about what is best for your company. This week, we’ll focus on the LLC and Corporations …
Business Formation Options
Congratulations, you’re ready to start your own business! You have your idea, your location, your funding, and possibly a business plan to get it all together. But, first things first–you’re going to have to plan how you want your business to be organized for tax purposes, accounting purposes, and most importantly, for liability purposes. So which business formation structure best …
Federal Courts Should Use State Law to Interpret a Contract’s Venue or Forum Selection Clause
Most circuits have not decided this issue. Those that have addressed it typically recognize that no reason exists to treat a venue selection clause differently from the remainder of a contract that will be interpreted using state law. See, e.g., Northwest Nat. Ins. Co. v. Donovan, 916 F.2d 372, 374 (7th Cir. 1994) (“Validity and interpretation are separate issues, and …
